Obituary of Robert Louis Ford

On October 17, 2017 at 1:00 in the morning, Robert Louis Ford, Sr. answered the call of the angels to come home. He was waiting for that call for several days. His loving wife Susan and his children were there, touching him and letting him know that they would be okay. They told him that he could go now to the mansion awaiting him and they would see him again. Robert was born on March 18, 1948 to the late Ossie Ford and Ruth Barley Ford. He was one of seven children. Of this number, three preceded him in death: two sisters, Anna Smith and Lois Brown, and a brother, Donald Ford. Robert was raised by his grandmother, Estelle Barley, and at times it was a rough life. But, for him, it was what made him tough and determined. Robert met his wife Susan in 1965 (a long time ago!). She knew that, for her, it was love at first sight. For him, it took a little longer. They were married on October 14, 1967. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in the hospital. Their love for each other produced four beautiful and loving children: Robert Jr., Rodney, Micah, and Mikki (she doesn't like her given name but the couple had waited for a girl to use the name TaMeiko). Of course, her daddy called her "Big Money Grip". He adored his children. Robert loved drag racing whether on Route 60, Route 6, the Richmond Raceway, or just about anywhere. His heart was his 1964 Plymouth Sport Fury which he called "The Blue Sauce". His license plate read "1 Evil 64" and he made sure whomever he was racing got to see that overtop of their hood! He loved sitting and talking on his CB. He was known as "Broken Promise, Zero59" (he always said "Worldwide 059). When he keyed up, the only one the listeners heard was 059. He talked to Australia, Barbados, California, and Texas, just to name a few. Robert and Susan loved to travel. They were going "up to the mountains," he would tell friends. Traveling a few hundred miles was just a joy ride for them. They would tell the kids, "we're going riding." As his illness progressed and people would ask him how he was doing, he would say, "all I can do if the mule goes blind, is to sit and hold to the line", or "you can't judge the book by the cover". Robert leaves to cherish his legacy a loving and devoted wife, Susan; sons, Robert Jr., Rodney (Ida), and Micah (Hope); a daughter, Mikki (Eddie); fourteen grandchildren, Eric, Robert III (Trey), Royal (Jay), Quin, Macaliah, Shardae, Rodney Jr., Aleeyah, Alayna, Jayden, Jovonte', Darius, Evan, and Eddie Jr.; four great-grandchildren, Erica, Eric, Nevaeh, and Amari; two sisters, Lucille Washington (Joe) and Hazel Edwards (Reginald); one brother, Spencer (Elvira); two god-children, Justin Ford and Cheryl Weaver; one devoted nephew, Harvey Simms; two devoted friends, Michael Turner and Danny Johnson; and a host of nieces and nephews, other family, and friends. I loved you all and want only the best for you. I want you to serve God and love your family Teach your children about God. Take time to enjoy life. I was once in the world, but the world didn't give me the love of family and friends. Only you did that. I know you loved me and I hope you know I loved you. Be strong and always be there for each other. I'll be watching!